One of the biggest things I learned on my ‘world tour’: the more you travel, the more places you want to go.
So many have said to me, ‘wow, you’ve been just about everywhere now, huh?’ Far from it actually. Yes, I traveled around the world for 2 1/2 years. Yes, prior to that I’d traveled abroad for about 10 years during my vacation days from work. And yes, I’ve lived in various parts of the US and have friends and family sprinkled all over so I’ve been lucky enough to see a good bit of this country. BUT, there is still so much more I want to see during my time on this earth. My goals in traveling were never to pack in as many places as possible, but to try and get to know the people and culture of each locale. That is why I stopped and put down my bag for a few months in places like Istanbul, Spain, Melbourne, and London. So back to the aforementioned question: Where next?
Here is a list of just some of the places topping my never-ending travel list:
- Alaska
- Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, S. Africa)
- China
- Vancouver
- Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
- Ukraine
- Slovenia
- Bolivia
- Portugal
- Norway
The boundaries around the world seem to be slowly breaking down. Where would you go if you could?
Where else should I go? Got any ideas? Have you been to these places or are you going… and can I tag along?
Pre-Blog Travels
I'll go to Norway in a few months to visit a friend (also to Estonia/Latvia).
I've another friend in China and would like to visit him before his contract expires (I have two years or so).
I'd love to return to Ukraine (Lvov, Black Sea).
I was in Portugal past summer but had no time for visiting everything, so I was planning to finish the trip next summer (with a trip to Porto & Cies paradise island at the end).
I would love to go to Fiji and New Zealand since I'll be heading down to Oz for a couple of weeks. I would love to travel much more than that though. I just have to work one thing out – get funds.
Oh, your list looks wonderful. But, the thing I like about you is that you will actually make this dream come true. Good for you.
For me, I am really pining to walk Macchu Pichu and do a bit of Bolivia and Peru. I just need the time and money now to accomplish both in 2010.
If I had access to lots of funds and unlimited time, I would first head off to:
Peru
Argentina
Brazil and visit a friend there
Portugal (take about 2 months and explore in depth)
Germany – again. I LOVE this place
Amsterdam
Turkey
Ghana
Ethiopia
Egypt and Jordan
Oh…the list goes on and on.
give me a ring when you go to africa. I'm hiding in your luggage.
Hi Lisa! Just take short trip to Latvia and we have cheap flights to Ukraine (Riga-Lvov). Right now is saling dates for KLM! Check it.
I'm too jealous to make any suggestions.
I'm slightly over my jealousy, but not completely. Go to Alaska. Everyone I've known who's ever been there has been awestruck by it's natural beauty. You could hit Vancouver on the same journey (maybe even Calgary and Edmonton).
Lisa,
Nice list. I've been to the last four places on your list – I spent 3 summers in Bolivia, starting with a high school homestay, and I fell in love with the country. Allison and I also went to Slovenia back in 2003 for 2 weeks, with the highlight being our 5 day hut-to-hut hike in Julian Alps. That was awesome! We did that trip along with the Dalmatian coast which was gorgeous. You can't go wrong with Portugal or Norway either.
We're still undecided for our big trip this summer with our 4 year old, Benjamin. We've summered in Nova Scotia, Italy, Oregon/Washington, and Spain with him so far, but we're stuck right now with summer 2010. The top contenders so far are the Baltics + Helsinki (we like non-stop flights) or Munich-to-Berlin. But I'm still wondering if there's some sleeper destination that might catch us by suprise (like Colombia or Turkey – but they may have to wait until Benjamin is just a little older). Anyhow, we'll see. It's all part of the fun of travel.
Lisa,
You are truly inspiring. I love your blogs and I am totally amazed about the things that you have done. And I thought I was the "renegade". I am in the process of changing my life, which is pretty good. I want… No I need to be "free" – and I know that you know what I mean. My wife is with me on this one. I want to travel the world, it's just a little more difficult to prepare in this economy, but the decision has already been made. OK, maybe I'm digressing from the topic at hand… Here are a few places that I would like to go:
Egypt – Cairo, Luxor, etc…
Jordan
Ukraine – especially the Red Forest and Chernobyl
Chile
Fiji
Tanzania
Alaska (even though I do NOT like the cold)
Russia
Lisa – this is a great list! I love the fact that you list the huge continent of Africa as one item! Like you, I've been a traveling nomad now for 3 1/2 years but I still have many places left on my 'must see' list. To name a few:
Bolivia
Antarctica
Namibia
Russia
Germany
Sweden
Poland
Czech Republic
I have to share that one of the greatest places I've been to recently is Mongolia. For you or your readers, it's definitely worth a look!
Kevin Fitzpatrick's opinion is not agreed by any one.He is too jealous .
I have read about tours on the inland passage in Alaska that are ecotours. Sounded amazing! They have a website, you should check it out.
Well you know you've got somewhere to stay in Vancouver! WooHoo! And when you head to Portugal I've got a helluva lot of tips for you there and a great couch surfing host in Porto. I love that place! xx
Already went to China? What do you think of it? Hope you enjoy.